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This weekend, students will have some fun while challenging traditional gender stereotypes at the third annual Drag Ball, sponsored by QuEST (Questioning Established Sexual Taboos).
Described by QuEST president Daniel Reynolds ’08 as a “dance with a twist,” the ball will run from 10 p.m.- 2 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 in Farinon College Center Snack Bar. Participants will dance the night away dressed in clothes of the opposite gender. In past years, students have gotten creative and dressed up as their favorite stars such as Christina Aguilera and hip-hop artists G-Unit.
The highlight of the evening will be a drag show at 11:30 p.m. featuring individual and group performances of lip-syncing and dancing. Prizes will be awarded to the best performers and the night will end with the naming of this year’s Drag King and Drag Queen.
“We see the Drag Ball as a great way to bring together different clubs and organizations,” says Reynolds. “It is a party where we can not only have a lot of fun, but also challenge social taboos and traditional gender roles.”
Co-sponsoring the event are Student Government, Association of Lafayette Feminists, Delta Upsilon, and Tri-Delta.
The Drag Ball is one of many events, activities, and forums QuEST hosts as a means of bringing students closer together and encouraging an open and supportive environment for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community.
The very successful “Gay? Fine By Me” t-shirt campaign drew more than 300 students and faculty to the Quad Oct. 27 in celebration of tolerance and understanding. A total of 650 shirts were distributed to the campus community.
“We wanted to send out the message that any member of this community, regardless of sexual orientation, religion, gender, or race, has a right to feel comfortable and accepted,” says Reynolds. “Gay? Fine by me is not a gay issue, it is an issue of basic human rights.”
Other events include the annual day of silence, coming out day, and United Against Hate Week. QuEST also organizes Lafayette’s Safe Zone program, part of a nationwide campaign to provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere for the GLBT community.